Cars lovers, it's time to take the wheel. The Chicago Auto Show kicks off Friday.

Gov. Pat Quinn, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, and Secretary of State Jessie white helped cut the opening-day ribbon at 9:45 a.m. at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive. The show runs through Sunday, Feb. 19, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closing day wraps up at 8 p.m.

How the Auto Show Has Gone Social

Social media is playing a big part of this year's Chicago Auto Show. The vendors are social, the visitors are social and even the cars are social. (Published Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012)

New this year at the Auto Show are four test tracks, including the new Ram pickup truck track, as well as an urban track simulating the potholes of Chicago side streets. You also can test acceleration of the new Dodge Challenger and try out a Toyota on the company's Monopoly theme track.

One of the most ambitious tracks isn't in McCormick Place, but on city streets. With some paperwork, auto show attendees can take the new Chevy Volt for a spin.

Test Drives Available at Chicago Auto Show

Sometimes just seeing something isn't enough. The Chicago Auto Show gives patrons several ways to experience the new models on display. (Published Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012)

Among the nearly 1,000 new cars on display are Cadillac, Chevrolet and Kia's not-yet-on-the-market cars. In total, 31 manufacturers will be featured over 1.2 million square feet of the show.